Some Fun Facts About Swimming You Should Know

There are all sorts of fascinating swimming facts that even avid swimmers might not know. The history of swimming dates back to ancient Egypt, giving humans centuries to come up with interesting and innovative ways to swim.

Swimming History

1. The first swimming goggles were made of turtle shells.
2. Swimming was first introduced in the Olympic Games in 1896.
3. The earliest known records of people swimming date back to Egyptian drawings from 2500 BC, with Stone Age paintings in the Cave of Swimmers dating back even further.
4. Benjamin Franklin invented swim fins to help move through the water more efficiently.
5. The oldest known concrete swimming pool was built in Texas in 1915.

Impressive Swimming Stats

1. Most competitive swimmers swim 6-12 miles daily.
2. An Olympic pool can hold up to 850,000 gallons of water.
3. Gertrude Ederle was the first woman to swim the English Channel, achieving this feat in 1926.
4. Mark Spitz set the record for the most gold medals in a single Olympic Games when he won seven gold medals at the 1972 games.
5. The largest swimming pool ever built is located in Moscow, Russia.

Weird Swimming Facts

1. Most professional swimmers shave their entire bodies before they compete.
2. A space shuttle turbopump could empty an entire Olympic-sized pool in under 25 seconds.
3. Many swimmers have flexible ankles and can touch the ground with their toes while lying on their backs.
4. More than half of Americans cannot swim.
5. Competitive swimming became more popular after World War I when “long john”-style swimming costumes went out of fashion.

Health & Fitness

1. In one hour, swimming burns about 40% more calories than biking.
2. Swimming burns about 30% more calories than running per hour.
3. Swimming strengthens the heart and lungs.
4. More than half of competitive swimmers experience shoulder pain.
5. Swimming can improve exercise-induced asthma.